Ep64: Nick & Mark's Criminal Confessions, Xander Wins a Tight One, & Why Tiger Was Told to 'Stop Talking'.

It's a huge episode this week, so much to unpack from Valhalla. And we kick it off with 'jail confessions'. Have Nick or Mark been to prison? One has, and one nearly did. We hear the stories of what happened at the start of the pod. But then onto Scottie Scheffler. Not often you see a golf pro in prison midway through a tournament - in fact it is probably the first time ever! Nick and Mark discuss what happened and how it impacted his tournament.

But of course, whilst the Scheffler sideshow was fascinating, Xander Schauffele is the star of the week, after a huge win following a very tight finish at Valhalla. Nick and Mark discuss how he played, a few of the notable holes and shots he played. His swing changes appear to have made a difference. Tiger's performance was disappointing and both Nick and Mark found him difficult to watch, and explain why. Mark was impressed with Sam Torrance's commentating and gave him a 10/10 for his performance.

Nick found the battle between Bryson and Hovland fascinating, and Mark was impressed with Bryson's performance saying whilst he got lucky on 16, he 'cashed in' on that luck which only champions can do. Nick says whilst he's not been a huge Bryson fan, he is warming to him. Speaking of champions, Nelly Korda. Unbelievable. Nudging our own Hannah Green. Nick and Mark discuss.

Mark gets a bit Kardashian and raises a rumour he's been reading about regarding Rory McIlroy and his recently filed for divorce. Just rumours, and our lawyer Dennis Denuto has advised us to say 'allegedly' which we are definitely going with.

A great Top 5 from Nick today, he lists his Top 5 pros who have won one major, and are still looking for their 2nd. Confusion over whether it's a Top 5 or a Top 7 in classic Nick style.

Mark has an insider at LIV who has tipped him off that the Strategic Sports Group's investment in the PGA has some conditions around the 1.5billion and that the SSG have had some words to certain high profile PGA players to 'stop talking' about that money.

Lots to unpack in the PING global results this week, and Nick runs us through it all. Feedback aplenty with comments still coming in on the Top 100 list, some agreeing with Nick and Mark, and some with an alternate view. And we have a question from a listener on The Australian Open which opens a can of worms.

And thanks to the team at the new watchMynumbers app we wrap with a masterclass from Mark, inspired by Xander, on putting - specifically tapping prior to your putt, and why it works.

A big thanks to our Talk Birdie partners:

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• the new watchMynumbers app, the most powerful data based golf app in the world, download from the App Store ;
• and the Golf Clearance Outlet, great prices on the best gear. See them in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, or online here.

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